Limpopo goes back to school

The tears, the trepidation, the joy and the anxiety were all on display when Limpopo went back to school yesterday (Wednesday). At Polokwa­ne’s institutions scores of newcomers and existing learners arrived early to tackle their 2016 school year head-on. At some schools hopeful parents showed up with new enrolments in tow.
For some it was the start of a year of achievements in academics, on the sports field and in cultural endeavours, for others stress brought on by homework, projects and exam pressure. For their carers it brought an added headache over edible things to put in the lunchbox, which stands the chance of going missing along with unidentified items of clothing left behind in a classroom or on the school premises at some point. In general great excitement characterised that exceptional milestone of starting a new school career or simply another year.
Naledzani Rasila, Head of Communications at the Department of Education on Tuesday reconfirmed that the department did not expect challenges at schools regarding admissions, except maybe in Polokwane.
“We do not foresee problems as all current applications have been finalised, and where there were rejections, complaint forms have been filled in by parents and delivered to the department. People who have not applied timeously may have problems, but each case will be treated on its own merits,” he said.
Most primary schools in the city have no more space for learners to enrol and have a waiting list. Should some learners who have been admitted to schools not pitch up as expected yesterday (Wednesday) when schools re-open, these learners on the waiting list would be given preference. Rasila said no plans could be made until the schools have opened and the situation has been assessed. The situation is being complicated as some parents apply at more than one school for admission to try and ensure their children are admitted to a school in Polokwane.

Editorial team